Because addiction is chronic, symptoms like cravings can occur even when you maintain sobriety and abstinence. In fact, between 40% and 60% of all people in recovery experience at least one relapse. While relapse isn’t a sign of failure during recovery, it can put you at serious risk of experiencing an overdose, which is why relapse prevention planning is one of the most important parts of substance abuse treatment.
Substance abuse disorders impact roughly 4% of Americans ages 12 and older each year. Unfortunately, the risks associated with addiction have only increased, as drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death among people younger than 50. What makes addiction such a deadly disease is that it is both chronic and progressive. Although the cause of addiction is unknown, and there is no known cure, a South Florida detox center can make recovery possible.
How Addiction Works
Addiction is a mental health disease that impacts your judgment, behavior, and cognition. During addiction, you compulsively abuse drugs or alcohol even if you have a strong desire to quit. Experiencing serious consequences, like criminal charges or medical problems, is also not enough to stop you from abusing substances during addiction.
Drugs and alcohol are neurotransmitter inhibitors that cause your brain to release an overwhelming rush of pleasurable neurotransmitters any time that you use your substance of choice. Your brain eventually associates your substance of choice with pleasure, which results in serious alterations to your pleasure and reward center.
Your brain begins to reward your drug and alcohol use and punish abstinence by controlling the release of neurotransmitters and harming your chances of relapse prevention. When the effects of your substance of choice wear off, your brain begins to crave more as you are left with a major neurotransmitter imbalance. These cravings are especially strong anytime you are exposed to anything that reminds you of using.
If you’re serious about overcoming your addiction, a drug detox center in South Florida like Summit Detox gives you the best chance of recovery.
Relapse and Relapse Prevention
Because drugs and alcohol can lead to physical dependency, you can deal with troubling withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them. During detox, cravings intensify, as symptoms will immediately stop if you use them again. Once your detox is complete, you can continue to experience cravings and post-withdrawal symptoms, which increases your risk of relapsing. Relapse prevention in South Florida focuses on providing you with the tools you need to prepare for life after treatment, which includes avoiding a relapse.
Relapsing occurs when you resume abusing drugs or alcohol after maintaining a period of complete abstinence. Since your tolerance reduces during abstinence, relapsing can cause a fatal overdose. Fortunately, relapse prevention in South Florida helps you with relapse prevention planning. Detox professionals help you create healthy coping strategies when you are exposed to triggers.
Relapse prevention also helps you:
- Cope with negative emotions
- Deal with major life changes
- Decide on positive living arrangements after discharge
- Develop strong and healthy coping skills
- Identify relapse triggers
Reaching Out for Help Today
If you are struggling with addiction, finding help is the best way you can begin your recovery journey. Summit Detox in Boynton Beach, Florida, ensures that you have the proper support and tools in place to manage your newfound sobriety. During treatment, a relapse prevention plan can help you navigate early recovery and succeed in achieving lifelong abstinence.
To find out more about how our Boynton Beach detox center can help you with relapse prevention, contact Summit Detox today at (888) 995-5265.
